Related Experiment Videos
Components of developmental care and the evidence for their use in the NICU
1University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816-2210, USA. jbyers@mail.ucf.edu
Insights
Developmental care in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) helps premature infants. While short-term benefits are evident, long-term outcomes require further research.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care practices
- Infant development research
Background:
- Developmental care is widely adopted in US neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
- It involves environmental management and individualized care for premature infants based on behavioral cues.
- The primary goal is to foster infant stability, organization, and energy conservation for growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the existing research on the effects of developmental care for premature infants.
- To assess the evidence supporting specific components of developmental care interventions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on developmental care in neonatal intensive care units.
- Analysis of research focusing on both overall developmental care and its specific components.
Main Results:
- Research indicates improved short-term outcomes (physiologic, developmental, resource utilization) up to 24 months of age.
- Evidence for benefits beyond 24 months is less clear.
- Strong scientific evidence supports specific developmental care interventions.
Conclusions:
- Developmental care shows positive short-term effects for premature infants.
- Healthcare providers should prioritize evidence-based interventions and use clinical judgment for others.
- Further research is needed to clarify long-term benefits and specific component efficacy.
Abstract:
Developmental care, a philosophy of care that requires rethinking the relationships between infants, families, and healthcare providers, is in place in the majority of neonatal intensive care units in the United States. Developmental care includes a variety of activities designed to manage the environment and individualize the care of the premature infant based on behavioral observations. The goal is to promote a stable, well-organized infant who can conserve energy for growth and development. Research about the effects of developmental care has shown a trend toward improved short-term physiologic, development, and resource utilization outcomes for infants up to 24 months of age, but benefits beyond this age are unclear. Most of the research has focused on developmental care as a whole, but there is also strong scientific evidence for specific components of developmental care. The NICU care provider should use developmental care interventions that are clearly supported by evidence, and use others based on judgment and the infant's responses.